Monday, March 28, 2011

My daughter loves to pretend she is a lion. She has an adorable roar and my husband had suggested several times that I should make her a tail and ears to go with it.

I looked all around and couldn't find a set of lion ears that were round like they should be. I also didn't want to make a full hat because I wanted these ears to be wearable in the summer or anytime she wants to pretend she's a lion. So these are designed to be on a headband, although you could attach them to a beanie if you want.

I made these for a kid's sized headband, but these ears could just as easily be attached to an adult-sized headband.

Materials Needed

Worsted Weight Yarn

Size 6 knitting needles

Yarn Needle

Headband

BandMake 1This is designed to attach to an existing headband. I used a 3/4 inch wide headband. Adjust the band for a wider or narrower headband.

Cast on 12Knit in Stockinette until band is just a little longer than headband.

EarsMake 4

cast on 16

Knit in stockinette for 12 rows or 2 inches

SSK, K3, SSK, K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog

Purl

SSK, K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog

Purl

SSK, SSK,K2tog, K2tog

Bind Off

Hold 2 ear halves together, wrong sides out. Sew 2 ear halves to each other, turn right side out. Ears should curve a little. I left long yarn tails to use to sew the ears onto the headband.Attach band to headband and then attach ears. Sew ears on so that they curve slightly.Cut strips of yarn for mane and attach as for the Lion Tail, working around band, leaving ears free.I personally did 2 pieces at a time for the mane even though I did 3 at a time for the tail.Trim if needed, and give to your little lion to help them feel more like roaring!

Monday, March 14, 2011

I've found a lot of cat tail patterns out there, but never a lion tail. So here is mine. And stay tuned - A Lion Mane with Ears to go with it is coming!Materials Needed

Worsted Weight Yarn

Stuffing

Size 4 dpns

Yarn Needle

Something to attach it to

SizeKids (Adult)

Gauge is not important, although your stitches should be tight enough that the stuffing doesn't show between them.

Worked in the round.

Cast on 20 (25)

Work in stockinette until it is 16" (28") or desired length.

Decrease RoundsSame for all sizes.Place marker at beginning of round.

K3, k2tog to end of round

k2,k2tog to end of round

k1, k2tog to end of round

k2tog to end of round

weave end through remaining stitches and pull tight.

TuftLions are the only cats who have tufts on the end of their tails.To make the tuft, cut darker brown yarn 5-7 inches long.Take 3 pieces of yarnat a time and thread through yarn needle.Pull yarn through tail once.Pull yarn back through the same hole. Be sure not to pull through all the way.This should create a loop on one side and the ends on the other side.Pull the ends through the loop.Pull the ends tight.Repeat this until you have a full tuft at the end of the tail.Trim tuft to a lion-tuft shape as desired.Stuff and sew onto pants, fabric with elastic, belt, or i-cord.

I made the first pair of these for my mom for her birthday. I cast on and just made it up as I went. The second pair I made are longer, with an extra repeat in the cable pattern before adding the thumb. I don't have good pictures of them yet.

The cable pattern is fun and simple; an easy one to learn how to do cables without a cable needle.

Abbreviations Usedk Knitp PurlCL1 Slip one stitch to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit one, knit one from cable needleCR1 Slip on stitch to cable needle and hold to back of work, knit one, knit one from cable needleCable PatternYou can do the cables in the same direction on both mitts, or make them twist in the opposite direction for each mitt. It's not a large change, but can be a way to avoid the second-mitt curse.

Note - Because this is worked in the round, some of the cables cross over to the next row.

Left Cable Pattern

If you click on the picture below, you can get a larger version of the chart.

1. *CR1, p2, repeat from* to end of row2. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row3. *k1,CL1,CR1, repeat from* to end of row4. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row5. *p2, CR1, repeat from* to end of row6. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row7. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row8. *p2, CR1, repeat from* to end of row9. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row10. *k1,CR1, CL1, repeat from* to end of row11. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row12. *CR1, p2, repeat from* to end of row13. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row14. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row

Right Cable PatternIf you click on the picture below, you can get a larger version of the chart.1. *CL1, p2, repeat from* to end of row2. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row3. *k1,CL1,CR1, repeat from* to end of row4. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row5. *p2, CR1, repeat from* to end of row6. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row7. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row8. *p2, CL1, repeat from* to end of row9. *p2, k2, repeat from* to end of row10. *k1,CR1, CL1, repeat from* to end of row11. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row12. *CL1, p2, repeat from* to end of row13. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row14. *k2, p2, repeat from* to end of row

Main MittCO 36 Join in the Round, be careful not to twist.Use Stitch Holder or Waste Yarn to mark beginning of rowWork 12 rows in p2, k2 ribbingWork cable pattern once for shorter gloves, twice for longer gloves.ThumbsKeep working cable pattern, but add the following at the beginning of rows (before the *):4. m1, p2, m15. m1, p4, m16. m1, p6, m17. m1, p8, m18. m1, p10, m19. p12This should result in a purled thumb that falls into one of the chain holes in the cable pattern.

This blog is a place to share my knitting charts and patterns. All charts and patterns are free to use for personal & charity use. Please let me know what you think and feel free to share any pictures!